I play nothing & often wish I did!

Subject: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: GUEST,Suegorgeous (cookieless in France)
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 08:29 AM

Having sung in a couple of bands, with the last one (a duo) working particularly well, singing acapella isn't so much fun as it used to be...

I'm thinking of taking up dulcimer to accompany myself, and I'm about to start looking for new band members (fiddle and/or piano in Bristol, if anyone's interested).

But these things can take time (few folk fiddlers want to play a predominantly slow-paced set, I've found), and in the meantime I'm resigning myself to solo singing for a while. Which is fine, mostly, when it's unaccompanied trad songs. But some of the songs I'm writing recently don't work so well without accompaniment, and I want to sing more of my own material...

OK, end of frustration sound-off!

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: Will Fly
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 08:46 AM

Learning to play, and playing an instrument is great fun and good for the brain and the body. It's never too late to start playing. After playing various string things with frets for over 40 years, I decided, nearing retirement, to start playing the violin, and have been combining lessons with a fierce practice regime since March this year. Progress is visible - and audible - from a screeching whine to a not-quite-so-screeching whine!

Good luck with whatever you decide to play - you won't regret it!

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: M.Ted
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 09:26 AM

You should consider taking up the ukulele--it's easy, can be used in a wide variety of styles, and, if you are so inclined, opens the door to guitar playing--also, it blends well with the voice--

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 10:08 AM

I love to sing. I love to play my instruments. But I can't do both at the same time, except with the guitar.

If I try to sing and play at the piano, my voice falters, skips words, then dies out. It's a brain thing.

Singing with the dulcimer is too hard. I have to think too much about which strings to fret.

Bottom line - before putting money and time into an instrument, borrow or rent one and see if it will work for you.

I like M. Ted's idea of a ukelele.

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: SharonA
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 11:14 AM

I have to disagree with MTed and Leeneia: I don't find the ukelele easy at all. I've played guitar and mandolin for over 30 years, and I'm learning 5-string banjo, so that's enough different tunings and chord-forms for me -- the uke tuning overloads my poor little brain! I have a uke but I never use it.

Suegorgeous, I recommend that you get an autoharp. For the moment you can accompany yourself by pushing a button to make a chord and strumming the strings. Easy-peasy! It's also an instrument that can be played more intricately if you wish to learn to do so eventually, but for a beginner it has a learning curve of zero degrees!

Sharon

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 01:41 PM

well don't try singing and didgereedoing, it is a bit hyperventerlating.

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 01:47 PM

Yeah, I'm a real slouch where instruments are concerned! Bloody loads of the things littering the house too.. I'd like to meet a really tight bodhron player. Or maybe a very gentle hurdy gurdy man.

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: Fidjit
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 03:10 PM

Quote from CrowSister. I'd like to meet a really tight bodhron player.

Do you mean a badhron player that's careful with his money?

Chas

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 03:24 PM

No I mean a Goodhran player, who's generous with hiss err talents..

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: Artful Codger
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 05:18 PM

Hmm, most bodhran players seem to be tight most of the time. Only way you can bear the damn things.

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: alex s
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 05:25 PM

Hi Sue. If you are interested in working with a guitarist I know one in north Bristol.

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 01:50 AM

Yes, autoharp might be just the thing. (I assume that Sue's main interest is singing and she doesn't want to make this instrument her life's work.)

I still think it's a good idea to borrow or rent first. Sometimes an instrument seems appealing but just doesn't feel right when you actually try it.

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 10:49 AM

always remember--if playing an instrument were really difficult, then instrumentalists couldn't do it.

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: Tootler
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 02:30 PM

Lots of good suggestions here, but choose an instrument that really appeals to you and enjoy playing it. If you do that you will put in the time and effort and it won't seem difficult at all and when you hit a difficult patch - and you will, the pleasure you get from playing will carry you through.

As I have always played things you blow down, I bought an anglo concertina to accompany myself singing. Although I got the knack of playing it quite quickly, playing and singing at the same time was another story. However, I enjoy playing my anglo, so I will keep going even if it is a stop start process for me.

Don't believe those who tell this instrument is easy and that one is difficult. With all instruments there are times when it seems difficult and times when it seems hard.

Just go for it and, as I said earlier, enjoy your playing.

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 09:54 PM

Thanks all. Will definitely think about the autoharp. But doing things to develop my voice plus songwriting plus all the other things in life seem to take up all my time. And it's fun to work with others.

Alex - yes, I would be interested. I'll pm you when I get back from my travels next week.

Sue

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: GUEST,suegorgeous (in France)
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 09:55 PM

aaargh! that was me, sorry.

Sue

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: RockClimber
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 04:03 AM

Hi folks.

I own a guitar and there was a spell in 1998 when I was actually able to pick out a few of the tunes in Peter Kennedy's book at a tempo that rendered them almost recognizable. But then I had to get a job again.

Now my little boy (who will be 7 in December) wants me to dust off my guitar and teach him how to read notes and play it. He's been watching Luke Kelly on YouTube wants to learn . . . Monto.

Monto by The Dubliners, 1976

As it happens, I have actually bought him a child-size Fender acoustic which my friend has hidden away until until his birthday.

Any suggestions as to how to go about teaching him when my own knowledge is so extremely limited? I don't have a budget for outside lessons right now.

Thanks,
E. Ramos

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: GUEST,suegorgeous
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 07:09 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: Gedi
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 09:46 AM

Hi Sue

I agree with Tootler above when he says : "Don't believe those who tell this instrument is easy and that one is difficult. With all instruments there are times when it seems difficult and times when it seems hard."

I picked up playing the melodeon with no difficulty at all (although I know others who really struggle with it) and regularly use it to accompany myself, as well as playing tunes. It really is down to you and what you yourself find easy (well easier). I would say try as many different instruments as you can if you don't know what to learn, then having made your choice stick with it. Try not to chop and change once you have started - it can lead to confusion.

Also practice makes perfect - its far better to play for 5-10 mins at a time, at least once a day, rather than doing one hour long session once a week. It may feel that your not doing anything that way but your muscles will be 'learning' automatically and pretty soon it will become automatic. I think someone else made this point but it's worth repeating.

Rock Climber : there are some excellent video tutorials out there for not much money (£10-£15) which are great for beginners/intermediaries. Well worth visiting a decent music shop to see their selection and hopefully they should be able to give good advice too.

Learning an instrument is better than winning the Lottery - and is a lot more likely to happen!

Good luck to you both

cheers
Ged

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: Tootler
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 04:04 PM

Woooops! I just realised my deliberate mistake. I should have said

"With all instruments there are times when it seems hard and times when it seems easier."

Subject: RE: I play nothing & often wish I did!
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 10:31 PM

Alex

Have just pm'd you, if you're still there...

Sue